Child actors. Is it right?
Thu, 24 July 2003, 11:15 amjason11 posts in thread
Child actors. Is it right?
Thu, 24 July 2003, 11:15 amHello,
I am doing a research assignment on child actors. If you could possibly answer these questions and email them to me it would be so much help. Please note: Your email address and name will be kept confidentail. The only other person who may see this information is my teacher. For more info please email at - jassy_jase@yahoo.com
Q1:
Do you believe its right for mothers to push their children, some as young as 2 into modeling and talent agency's?
Q2:
At what age do you belive children should be allowed to work in the arts industry?
Q3:
Do you think it's right for theatre companies to use children to rope in profit. Eg. Annie, Oliver, Sound of Music.
Q4:
Should we wipe out child performing all together in television/theatre. Allowing only children from 15 onwards to enter this field?
Q5:
In your own opinion, what is a normal childhood?
Thank you for your time,
Jason Triggs.
Re: Child actors. Is it right?
Fri, 25 July 2003, 04:42 pmThere's another point which I think Jason is missing: the distinction between exploitation in having a child actor, and exploitation in having all the publicity and promo-work that surrounds 'big-time' child actors in Hollywood.
Now frankly, if you're studying the latter type of exploitation, then you are looking at the wrong board in the wrong part of the acting industry in the wrong country.
Obviously I'm not claiming any kind of expertise in child psychology. However, I struggle to think ofwell-known examples of child-actor exploitation where the allegations of abuse centered around the performance itself. Most of the 'Jackson Five' type stories you here either involve exploitation over the things that surround big-time performance - ie the money and publicity - OR involve parents who are physically or emotionally abusive outside of (and predating) their children's performing lives.
In addition, you have to wonder how many of the 'child-star-turned-drug-addled-mess' cases are caused by the child performing at a young age, and how many are caused by the enormous amounts of money, fame and lifestyle binges that Hollywood gives to those who 'succeed', at an age where they can't handle it.
Maybe if you do your study focusing on 'average' child actors rather than the handful of megastars, you might come to very different conclusions,
Cheersm
Craig
Now frankly, if you're studying the latter type of exploitation, then you are looking at the wrong board in the wrong part of the acting industry in the wrong country.
Obviously I'm not claiming any kind of expertise in child psychology. However, I struggle to think ofwell-known examples of child-actor exploitation where the allegations of abuse centered around the performance itself. Most of the 'Jackson Five' type stories you here either involve exploitation over the things that surround big-time performance - ie the money and publicity - OR involve parents who are physically or emotionally abusive outside of (and predating) their children's performing lives.
In addition, you have to wonder how many of the 'child-star-turned-drug-addled-mess' cases are caused by the child performing at a young age, and how many are caused by the enormous amounts of money, fame and lifestyle binges that Hollywood gives to those who 'succeed', at an age where they can't handle it.
Maybe if you do your study focusing on 'average' child actors rather than the handful of megastars, you might come to very different conclusions,
Cheersm
Craig